Following the recent hate crime attack of Sau-rabh Bhalerao of North Darmouth, Mass., the Indian American Center for Political Awareness (IACPA) urged Congress to pass the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act (S. 966).

“I am very disturbed at the brutality of the attack against Mr. Bhalerao. This is the second attempted murder of a South Asian American because of his ethnicity and religion in a month. Congress needs to consider and pass S. 966 o ensure the prosecution and conviction of those who commit this kind of brutal crime,” said IACPA chairman Gopal Raju.

Raju also wrote to Boston Globe. “As a leading newspaper, I was dismayed to see a lack of prominent coverage over what local police called a ‘vicious’ attack.

“One short story does not do justice to the nature of this crime. As this is the second attempted murder of a South Asian American nationwide in a month because of ethnic and religious reasons, the community is upset. The community is also confused and hungry for information and for understanding that the majority of Americans are as outraged as they are over these brutal and sometimes senseless acts of violence. Why has the Boston Globe chosen not to highlight this important story?”

(Compiled from press releases by Arvind Padmanabhan)